ARMY EDGES NAVY 14-13

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 09: Army RB Calen Holt (22) celebrates a first down reception in the second half during the game between The Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen on December 09, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Army scored last and sang last on Saturday in Philadelphia. After driving for a touchdown on the first possession of the game the Black Knights would not score again on their final drive. That touchdown put the Cadets up by one. A late 50-yard Navy field goal attempt missed its mark and Army escaped with its second straight victory over Navy and first Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy since 1996.

After Army’s opening TD Navy struck back with two Bennett Moehring field goals and a 68-yard Malcolm Perry touchdown run. Perry, who finished the game with 250 yards rushing, nearly willed the Mids to a win. The Midshipmen took a 13-7 lead deep into the fourth quarter. However, after a 13-play, 65-yard drive, an Ahmad Bradshaw 1-yard run put the Black Knights back up by one with five minutes remaining in the game.

On its final drive, Navy drove to Army’s 23-yard-line but two false start penalties pushed the ball back to the Army 31. Moehring’s desperation kick with three seconds remaining fell just wide left. The Army contingent then erupted into pandemonium as the Navy throng stood in shock.

After losing to Navy 14 straight times from 2002 until 2015, Army has now defeated the Midshipmen twice in a row. The Black Knights also won the Commander’s-in-Chief’s Trophy for the seventh time. Air Force has won the award 20 times and Navy 15 times.

An elated Army head coach Jeff Monken shared his views on the game with the media.

“I am so proud of our team,” said Monken. “Just to be able to find a way to win that game. That is something that as a coach and as a program you want to be able to overcome the adversity that faces you. To have a group of guys as resilient as ours that believe – there was never a moment they thought we weren’t going to win the game.”

Monken is now 2-2 against Navy as Army’s head coach.

The all-time series between Army and Navy now stands at 60-51-7, in favor of the Midshipmen.